hey guys!! im back and just wanted to let yall know that i have not forgotten about yall!! i started this new story and it's been taking over my free time! (which believe it or not is even less now that school's out. i work more hours than i am at school!) so i have like... 3 chapters left written on this one, and i WILL UD again before i leave for europe on the 11th, b/c i will b gone for 2 weeks!! so don't forget about me during that time! lol
alright w/ that said, PERSONAL THANK YOUS!!
thinkofme330
reina123
Adnama23
HI
HollyVince
naley4ever323
naley19
Brooke6404
flipflopgal
thegetupk.
LiZ457
and the ppl who added me/this fic to their fave author/story
and to the ones who added this under thier story alerts!! :D
thanks everybody!
UD 24
BRUCAS
It was Lucas, Brooke and Maggie's forth day in Australia, and today the family was going to the zoo… only some people weren't as happy about it as others.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "I don't get it," she said clearly frustrated.
"Brooke," Lucas said from their bathroom while brushing his teeth.
She kinked an eyebrow, "What?" she asked.
Lucas walked out of the bathroom, "I love you, but sometimes, you just gotta go with stuff," He told her running his hand through her hair.
She frowned, "But I don't wanna go," she said stressing the 'I'.
"Well, this isn't about you," Lucas said.
Brooke tilted her head, her eyes narrowing.
"I mean…"
Brooke crossed her arms waiting for Lucas to continue. "Mu-huh" Brooke said after not receiving the end of Lucas' statement. She got off the bed and went to the closet.
"Well it's not," Lucas finally said.
Brooke turned around, "And I never said it was…"
"Okay, but, you're acting like you're the four year old,"
Brooke groaned getting more aggravated with every word Lucas said. She forcefully closed the closet door and stormed out of the bedroom.
Lucas sighed and followed her. "Brooke," he said trying to reason with her.
Brooke continued to walk through the house, heading to Maggie's room to get her ready.
"Brooke, stop!" Lucas said grabbing a hold of her wrist.
Brooke froze, she turned around and up looked at her husband with tears in her eyes, her eyes were screaming something and it wasn't mad, she was scared.
"What's wrong?" Lucas asked confused.
Brooke tugged her arm backwards, Lucas' hand still wrapped around her tiny wrist. "Let go," she whispered terrified, a few tears coming dangerously close to falling from her eyes.
Lucas realized he still had a hold of Brooke's arm and quickly let it go.
Brooke quickly slid past Lucas and instead of going to Maggie's room, she made a bee line for the front door.
Lucas stood in the hallway for a moment before deciding he needed to go after Brooke. He walked out the front door, leaving it open slightly, and saw Brooke's petite frame standing on the corner of the porch. "Brooke," he whispered cautiously.
Brooke didn't move or acknowledge the fact that Lucas had joined her on the front porch.
Lucas walked closer to his wife, neither saying a word.
Brooke turned around and looked at Lucas when he was a few steps away from her. "Stop," she said barely audible.
"Okay," Lucas nodded, "But, can you tell me what's going on?"
"I just… I didn't sleep well, and then we have to go to the zoo today…"
"Okay, yeah, I get that, but… that's not what I'm talking about."
Brooke looked at him like a child.
"What was that in the hallway?" He asked.
"I don't know Luke, what was it?" Brooke asked getting upset again.
Lucas took a step closer to her, "I'm sorry if I made you mad, Brooke,"
She shook her head and cowered backwards a little, "That wasn't it,"
"Then what was it?"
"You can't just grab a hold of me like that, Lucas!"
Lucas' heart fell to the floor, he felt like such an ass. "Brooke, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to… I swear that won't happen again," he promised her.
'That's what Nathan tells Haley, but I've seen her arms,' Brooke said to herself, truly concerned that Lucas may be like Nathan.
"Why did you get so scared when I grabbed your hand," He pressed
"You grabbed my by the wrist Lucas," Brooke corrected, "And it caught me off guard and yes, it scares me!"
"You know I would never intentionally hurt you, Brooke, right?" Lucas asked, mad at himself for even having to ask.
Brooke just looked at him.
"Brooke," Lucas said taking a cautious step towards her.
Brooke collapsed right into his arms, "I'm sorry, Luke," she bawled. "I just feel out of it, and… I don't know…" she tried to cover up how scared this whole thing made her. She put her hand to her stomach rubbing it soothingly.
"What? Are you okay?" Lucas asked concerned.
Brooke nodded "Mu-huh," she mumbled continuing to rub her pregnant belly.
"I'm sorry," Lucas said whole heartedly.
Brooke opened her eyes and looked up at the blonde. She nodded, "Me too,"
"You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I think he's just tired or… cabin fever," she said with a shrug.
"Cabin fever?" Lucas asked.
Brooke nodded, "Yeah, he wants out,"
"Not yet he doesn't," Lucas said rubbing her belly.
"Did I ever tell you that I thought that was kinda weird?" Brooke asked looking at Lucas.
"What is?"
She glanced down at Lucas' hand.
"Yeah, but I'm talking to him," Lucas whined.
Brooke shrugged, "I don't know, sometimes it just kinda feels like you're talking to my like actual belly…"
Lucas laughed, "That's weird,"
Brooke nodded, "I think it is,"
"Okay, well then I won't do it anymore… unless you say I can,"
Brooke rolled her eyes, "You're such a puppy! Of course I don't think you're talking to by belly… are you kidding me? I know better than anyone else there is a baby in there,"
Lucas laughed, "You're crazy,"
"I know," Brooke said with a shrug, "You get Maggie ready… and I suppose I will go get ready," she said reluctantly.
"Thank you," Lucas said and kissed her nose.
Brooke gave him a cheesy smile as she walked into her and Luke's bedroom, Lucas going to Maggie's room.
"Hello," Lucas said knocking on Maggie's door. "Can I come in?" he asked pushing the door open slightly.
Maggie was curled up in bed, her back to the door appearing to be asleep.
"Maggs, wake up Pretty Girl, we're going to the zoo," Lucas said rubbing her back.
Maggie rolled over and looked up at her dad. "Do you and mommy love each other?" she asked genuinely concerned, as concerned as a four year old could genuinely be.
NALEY
"Do mommy and daddy love each other?" Caroline asked Jake late that night while they were sitting on the couch.
Jake smiled sadly at the little girl, "I don't know kiddo,"
Caroline nodded, "I don't think mommy does anymore, Uncle Jake…" she said sadly.
Jake looked at the wise beyond her years four year old and his heart broke, "I don't know, Care," he repeated.
"Where's Jenny?" The four year old asked.
"Um… I think she's actually asleep," Jake said looking at the clock.
"And Aunt Peyton is with my mom?"
Jake nodded, "Yeah, I think she is,"
Caroline smiled slightly to her uncle.
"You're a good kid, you know that, right?"
Caroline nodded, "Sure, that's what momma always tells me, but…" she trailed off.
"But what?" Jake asked.
Caroline shook her head, "Nothing," she said looking away.
"Care, if you have something to say, just say it, silly!" He said squeezing her knee.
Caroline looked back over at Jake and took a deep breath, "But, if I was a better kid mommy and daddy would still love each other, wouldn't they?" she asked tears forming in her eyes.
"Peyton, I don't know what to say to that!" Jake explained to his wife around one in the morning.
Peyton sighed, "Well what did you say…?"
"I told her that her parents love her no matter what and I told her to never ever think that anything bad between them is her fault…"
Peyton nodded. "You did a good job Jake," she whispered.
"What are you supposed to say to that Peyton?!" Jake asked clearly upset.
Peyton shook her head, "I don't know…"
Jake clenched his jaw… "How's Haley?" he asked.
"Asleep," Peyton said simply. "She wants to let Nathan back in, but it scares her, ya know? And… I don't know, she just… it's just hard on her right now."
Caroline opened her bedroom door quietly and looked out into the hallway making sure nobody was out there. She tiptoed out of her room and across the house to her mom's room. She gently pushed her door open and saw Haley curled up in her bed sound asleep. Caroline went over to the bed and crawled onto it with her mom, curling right up next to her.
Haley instinctively woke up. She opened her eyes and looked down at her daughter whose face was red and tear stained. "Baby…" she whispered rubbing Caroline's head.
Caroline looked up at her mother, "Mommy," she whimpered wrapping her arms around Haley like her life depended on it.
Haley almost seemed shocked by Caroline's actions. "Care, what's the matter?" she asked concerned.
"I'm sorry," she cried.
"What?" Haley asked pulling Caroline back to where she could see her. "Sorry, sorry for what baby?"
"Well, you don't love daddy anymore, and it's because I told him what I wasn't supposed to, and now you cry all the time and Aunt Peyton always has to make you feel better and - -"
"Whoa, hold on kiddo," Haley stopped her daughter. "Who says I don't love your daddy anymore? Baby, that's big people stuff you're talking about… and no matter what happens between me and your daddy, it is NEVER your fault, got it?"
Caroline sniffled and nodded.
"Oh baby…" Haley whispered pulling Caroline close to her just holding her.
"When am I gonna start school?"
Haley titled her head. "Do you still want to go?"
Caroline bit her bottom lip, "Yes,"
"Okay, Monday… that's okay with you, right?"
Caroline smiled and nodded, "Yes!"
Haley laughed, "Okay, you wanna sleep in here with me tonight?" she asked.
Caroline nodded and snuggled up close to her mom, "I love you mommy,"
Haley kissed the top of Caroline's head, "I love you too little girl,"
BRUCAS
"She what?" Brooke asked Lucas tying her shoes.
"She asked if we still loved each other," Lucas repeated.
"Ugh," Brooke said putting her hand to her head, "What did you say?"
I
"Maggs, why would you ask me that?" Lucas asked.
"Well… I heard you and mommy yelling, and… mommy sounded sad. Caroline said that's what her mommy and daddy do…" Maggie explained. "And Uncle Nate doesn't sleep at Caroline's no more because Aunt Haley doesn't love him,"
Lucas' eyes softened, "Oh, little girl," he said hugging her. "Aunt Haley and Uncle Nate are different honey. Me and mommy love each other so much,"
"You promise?"
"Of course, and that's why we are having another baby…we wouldn't do that if we weren't in love, okay?" Lucas tried to convince his daughter.
Maggie nodded. "Can we still go to the zoo?"
"Uh, yeah!" Lucas said like it was obvious, "Are you kidding? Me and mommy cannot wait!" he over exaggerated.
Maggie laughed, "Kay!" she said, "I'mma pick what I want to wear!" she said jumping up from her bed.
"Okay," Lucas agreed, "Come get me when you're done and we'll fix you some breakfast,"
Maggie gave her dad a toothy grin as he walked out.
END I
Brooke walked over to Lucas and sat on his lap, "I love you, you know that?"
Lucas nodded, "And I love you too," he said placing a kiss on her forehead.
Brooke closed her eyes at his touch.
"Daddy! I'm ready!" Maggie yelped standing in her parent's doorway.
Brooke turned and looked at her daughter, trying to hold back her laughter when she saw what she was wearing, "Maggie James,"
"What?" Maggie asked confused.
Brooke stood up off of Lucas' lap and looked down at what she was wearing. Both girls had on blue jean shorts and green tops, Brooke's was a flowy tank top high waist and lighter green while Maggie's was a shade darker than Brooke's and was a tight scrunchy material at the top and just a bit flowy below it.
Maggie's jaw dropped, "Mommy! We have the same thing on!"
Brooke laughed, "We do, except for… your shirt's on backwards…" she said biting her bottom lip.
Maggie looked down at her shirt, "No?"
Brooke laughed, "Yeah," she said, "Come here,"
"I'll go fix breakfast," Lucas said and went to the kitchen.
Maggie walked over to her mom, "Maybe your shirt is on backwards, mommy,"
Brooke squatted down and pulled the front of Maggie's shirt out a little bit, "Ah, you see, a tag,"
Maggie attempted to look down, but her eyes crossed, "Yes," she said knowing what her mom was talking about, "It goes in the back…"
Brooke nodded.
"Kay!" Maggie said and took her shirt off then put it back on right.
"Perfect!" Brooke said and kissed her daughter's head.
"You two coming?" Lucas asked from the kitchen.
"Mommy, come on!!" Maggie said pulling Brooke's arms over to the kangaroos.
"Maggs, go slower," Brooke whined.
"Look it," Maggie said in awe. "How do you say their names?"
Lucas picked Maggie up and held her up to the sign and read, "Kangaroo,"
"Kangaroo," Maggie repeated.
"Yep,"
"I love them!" Maggie said whole heartedly.
"Yeah? What's your favorite?" Brooke asked.
"Aww, that little baby one," Maggie said all cutesy pointing at the baby kangaroo. "He's so pretty!"
Brooke and Lucas held back their laughter.
"You wanna go see the birds?" Lucas asked.
"Can we come back?" Maggie asked wide-eyed.
Brooke nodded, "If you wanna, sure."
Maggie smiled, "Kay! Come on mommy!" she said getting out of her dad's arms and running towards the bird area with her mom's hand.
Maggie tapped her foot impatiently as Lucas looked at all the birds. Brooke had her back to the bird cages, hands resting on her stomach. Maggie went over to her mom, "Can we go see the kangaroos now, please?"
"Luke…?" Brooke asked.
"Yeah, sure, hey, the Dingo's are on the way, you wanna see them first?"
"What the hell is a Dingo?" Brooke asked, an eyebrow kinked.
"Yeah daddy, what the hell is a Dingo?" Maggie asked also kinking her eyebrow.
Brooke laughed a bit, 'Sorry' she mouthed to Lucas.
"Maggs, a Dingo is a dog, it's like puppy,"
"Puppy's here?!" Maggie said excited.
"No," Lucas said shaking his head. "Puppy's in the kennel, but puppies are here,"
"Huh?" Maggie asked confused.
Brooke rolled her eyes, "Let's just go see them, kay?" she said taking Maggie's hand.
Maggie stood at the Dingo exhibit and furrowed her brow, "They don't look like Puppy daddy…" she said and looked up at Brooke. Brooke shook her head agreeing with Maggie. "Kangaroos now?" Maggie begged.
Brooke laughed, sticking her tongue out a bit, "Let's go,"
The Scott family had been at the zoo for over four hours, how, Brooke had no idea, and half that time they were at the kangaroo exhibit just watching them jump around occasionally punching, which scared Maggie more than Brooke or Lucas expected it would.
"Mommy LOOK!" Maggie said while they were walking through the souvenir shop.
Brooke turned to where her daughter was pointing.
"Can I have it?" Maggie asked wide-eyed.
"Um… yeah, yeah, let me get it," Brooke said reaching for the stuffed kangaroo that was almost as big as Maggie was.
Lucas walked over to the girls, "Look what I found," he said holding up a kangaroo sweatshirt that had the pouch and the hoody part had kangaroo ears.
Maggie's jaw dropped, "Daddy! I NEED it!"
"Maggie," Brooke said in a warning tone, she hated it when Maggie exclaimed she 'Needed' something.
"I want it," Maggie corrected.
"What's that?" Lucas asked looking at the big stuffed animal.
"It's my kangaroo, and it has a baby in its pouch!" Maggie said excited.
Lucas looked at Brooke.
"I kinda told her she could get it…"
Lucas sighed, "Fine," he said as they walked to the purchase counter.
Brooke plopped down on her and Lucas' bed, her hair wet. "Oh my God! I'm exhausted!"
Lucas laughed flipping through the channels on the TV, "Maggie fell asleep while you were in the shower,"
"Kay, I'm gonna go tell her goodnight," Brooke said walking to Maggie's bedroom. She opened the door slightly, and smiled when she saw the four year old holding on to the stuffed animal she had gotten earlier that day, her kangaroo blanket that she and Brooke snuck back into the store to get wrapped tightly around her body. Brooke walked over to Maggie and gently kissed her cheek. "I love you baby girl," she whispered.
Maggie stirred slightly in her sleep.
Brooke quietly walked out of the room shutting the door behind her. She walked back into her and Lucas' bedroom.
"Hey Pretty Girl," Lucas whispered.
Brooke crawled into bed snuggling up next to Lucas, "She's so happy," Brooke smiled.
Lucas nodded, "You're a good mom Brooke Scott,"
Brooke snuggled against Lucas' chest, "You're a good dad too Lucas Scott," she said with a smile.
BOTH
Where You Lead, I Will Follow, Any-anywhere, That You Tell Me To.
Brooke groaned as her ringer for Haley sounded through their room. "Hello," she said hitting the answer button.
"Good morning!" Haley said happy.
"Oh honey, it's bedtime here," Brooke said with a yawn.
"Oh yeah, I knew that," Haley laughed, "Sorry! Just wanted to say hey, check in on how you guys are doing,"
"We're good, you?"
"Eh… I'll be fine. Ready for you to come home…"
Brooke smiled, "Week and a half Hales,"
Haley laughed, "True, tell Luke and Maggs I say hi, alright? Me and Care are off to get some clothes for her for school,"
"Aww, is she excited?"
"So excited!" Haley laughed
Brooke laughed, "Oh she so would be! I wish I could be there for her first day," she frowned. "Tell her I love her for me?"
"Of course, and I think Peyton said them are staying until you get here… or she is at least, Jenny's got to get back to school before then I think…"
"Aww, okay, well tell everyone we said hi and we love them! Oh and tell Care and Jenn I got them each something!"
"Okay," Haley laughed.
Brooke yawned, "I'm going to sleep Hales, I love you."
"I love you too," Haley smiled and both girls hung up.
BRUCAS
"Hales said hi," Brooke told Lucas her eyes closed.
"Alright, thanks baby. Get some sleep… "
Brooke's breathing slowed and her grip around Lucas loosened and Lucas kissed her forehead as she fell asleep.
NALEY
"Alright Care, let's go shopping," Haley said opening the front door.
"Aunt Haley…?"
Haley turned to the hallway and saw Jenny standing there by herself. "You okay?"
"Can I come with you…?" she asked sheepishly.
"Where's your mom and dad?"
"Asleep…"
"Um… yeah, go get in the car with Caroline, I'll go write your mom a note."
Jenny smiled and hurried to the car. "Uncle Nathan!" she said excited when she reached the car.
Nathan had Caroline in his arms, "Hey Jenn," he said leaning down kissing her.
"I haven't seen you in a long time!" Jenny exclaimed.
Nathan nodded, "Yeah…"
"Are you coming home, daddy?" Maggie asked excited.
"I hope so," Nathan said getting his daughter's hopes up.
"I'm staying here too!" Jenny said excited.
Nathan smiled down at his 'niece'.
"Mommy look! Daddy's back!" Caroline said excited as Haley walked out of the front door.
Haley froze seeing Nathan standing by the car in the driveway, her heart skipping a beat. "Hey Jenny… go and get a jacket real quick, okay?" she said wanting to talk to Nathan alone.
"Okay!" Jenny said and ran inside.
"Mommy! Aren't you excited?!" Caroline said happy that her dad was here.
Haley smiled at her daughter, "Nate, will you let her go in and get a jacket too?" she asked.
Nathan bent down and stood Caroline on the ground and she took off towards the house.
"What are you doing here?" Haley asked,
"Haley, I can't be away from you two," Nathan said stepping closer to Haley.
"Yeah…" Haley whispered.
"What are we supposed to do…?"
Haley shrugged, "I've got to go check on the girls," Haley said finding a way to cower out of the situation quickly.
"Haley," Nathan said grabbing Haley by her upper arms, not hard, but just to get her attention.
"Nathan, let go!" Haley yelled out of instinct.
"Stop!!"
Haley and Nathan both looked at the door shocked.
"Let her go daddy," Caroline cried running to her mom.
Nathan's hands fell from Haley's arms. He bent down to Caroline's level, "Care…" he tried.
"Daddy, go away," Caroline said shaking her head standing in front of her mother.
"Caroline," Haley said trying to correct her daughter.
Caroline looked up at her mom, then back at her dad.
Nathan looked at Haley and she shrugged. He nodded and walked to the street and got into his car and drove off.
Haley knelt down on the ground looking up at Caroline.
"Are you okay, mommy?" Caroline asked scared.
"Caroline," she said shaking her head slowly.
"What?" Caroline asked confused.
"What you saw - -"
"Daddy was hurting you,"
Haley shook her head, trying to explain to her daughter that Nathan wasn't hurting her at all. "No baby…"
"Then why did you yell?"
"He scared me," Haley said honestly, but quickly decided to change the subject. "Where's Jenn?" she asked.
"Potty,"
"Okay, you ready to go shopping?"
Caroline nodded and hopped in the car.
"You good to go Jenn?" Haley asked
Jenny smiled big and nodded, "Where did Uncle Nathan go?" she asked confused.
"Daddy had to leave Jenny…" Caroline told her cousin.
"Oh, okay," She shrugged and got into the car.
The three girls drove off to the mall, the two younger girls laughing the whole way there, while Haley had more things on her mind.
It was almost dark by the time the girls got back home and they were all exhausted.
"Alright, you two go in and clean up for dinner, I'll bring the stuff in," Haley instructed.
"Kay!" both girls cheered and ran inside.
"Mommy!" Jenny yelped when she saw Peyton.
"Hey Bunny, I missed you today," Peyton said hugging her daughter tight.
Jenny hugged Peyton back just as tight, "We got a LOT of stuff!" she said excited.
"Yeah?" Peyton asked.
Both girls nodded wildly.
"And, I got to see Uncle Nathan too!" Jenny said wide-eyed.
Peyton raised an eyebrow. "You did?"
Jenny nodded, "But, when I came back outside after I went potty he was gone…" she said sadly.
"I'm sorry," Peyton frowned.
Jenny nodded, "Me too. I love Uncle Nathan!" she said almost dreamily.
"Where's your mom Care?"
"Getting the stuff out of the car,"
"Alright, you two go clean up for dinner, I'll go help Haley," Peyton said putting Jenny down.
Both girls giggled as they ran off to the bathroom.
Peyton walked outside and saw Haley sitting in the driver's seat crying. She hurried to the car and opened the door immediately hugging Haley, "Hales," she tried to soothe. "What's wrong?"
"Caroline hates him," Haley whimpered.
"What? Why?"
Haley shook her head, "I was walking inside and Nathan grabbed me, not hard, but I got scared, and I yelled at him to let go… and Caroline was at the door and she told him to stop,"
Peyton's heart broke, "Oh, Haley," she said shaking her head, "I don't - - I don't know what to say…"
Haley inhaled shakily, "I don't want her to be angry with him. He didn't do anything to her," she said honestly looking into Peyton's eyes.
"Yeah…"
Haley sighed wiping under her eyes.
"Let's just go inside, I'll fix the kids dinner, and you and I can talk, alright?"
Haley nodded and got out of the car.
Peyton grabbed most of the bags and followed Haley inside. "Alright kiddos," Peyton said after putting the bags in Haley's room, "What do y'all want to eat?"
Jenny and Caroline looked at each other and shrugged.
Peyton laughed, "Well… what do we have," she said opening the pantry.
"We have Aunt Brooke proof food in the freezer, Aunt Peyton," Caroline said running to the freezer opening it up revealing pre-cooked food that all you have to do is put in the oven or microwave.
Peyton laughed, "Aunt Brooke proof?" she asked.
"Yeah," Caroline nodded, then shook her head, "She can't cook…"
Peyton continued to laugh, "Well… how bout I pull and Aunt Brooke and put a pizza in the oven for you two?"
"Yeah!" both girls cheered.
"Alright," Peyton said and pulled a frozen pizza out of the freezer and pre-heated the oven. "Jenn, come get me when it's pre-heated,"
Jenny nodded, she knew what pre-heated meant and pretty much how to work and oven because she was always in the kitchen with Peyton making something.
"Alright, I'm gonna go help Aunt Haley go through all those clothes you two got her to buy today, you'll be okay in here?"
"Yep," Caroline said sure of herself.
"Where's daddy?"
"Playing with your Wii in the bedroom," Peyton said with a laugh.
Jenny's jaw dropped, "Come on Caroline," she said pulling her cousin with her.
Peyton laughed as the young girls went to find Jake as she went to Haley's room. She knocked on the door and listened for a response, but she heard Haley on the phone so she quietly opened the door and went in.
"I can't help it, as much as I want to… I just can't," Haley said in tears.
"Who are you talking to?" Peyton mouthed.
Haley shook her head and walked into her bathroom shutting the door.
Peyton scoffed slightly then rolled her eyes realizing she could still hear Haley.
Haley turned the shower on so Peyton couldn't hear her after a moment.
Peyton again scoffed and gave up, plopping down on the big bed.
"Haley, you know I'm sorry,"
"I know you are, and you know I've already begun to forgive you, but your daughter saw her hero make her mother yell scared today…" Haley tried to get him to understand.
"I know…"
"You weren't hurting me, Nathan. I want you to know that," She assured him.
Nathan shook his head, "You and I both know that doesn't matter, Haley. I shouldn't have done anything like that…" he said shaking his head.
Haley took a shaky breath, "I want you to talk to Caroline,"
Nathan sighed, "Haley… I'm not sure - -"
"Nathan, I don't want her to be scared of you,"
Nathan nodded. "Me neither," He whispered then paused, "How are you feeling, Haley… I mean with the baby and everything?" Nathan asked changing the subject.
"I haven't really thought much about it," Haley said honestly.
"Why not? You love being pregnant,"
"Because, it makes me sad, Nathan… it makes me think of you," Haley admitted.
Nathan closed his eyes, he wanted to hold Haley, he wanted to see her pregnant belly that she secretly LOVED to show off, but pretended to hide, claiming she was getting fat. "Haley, I miss you," he finally admitted, his voice cracking.
"I miss you too," Haley whimpered.
"I'm not going to ask you to let me move back in, Haley,"
Haley nodded.
"But, if you need me, you know I'm always here for you, right?"
Haley again nodded, "Yeah. Um you want to meet me tomorrow at the River Court, I'll bring Caroline,"
Nathan nodded, "Okay,"
"Bye Nathan," Haley said and waited for his echo and hung up. She was about to turn the shower off, but decided she might as well take a shower while she was in there.
About twenty minutes later, Haley came out of the bathroom and found no Peyton, she shut her door and began slipping into her pajamas.
"Hey hooch," Peyton said tapping Haley's butt as she walked past her.
Haley quickly turned around to Peyton, "Hey," she laughed.
"The girls wanted dinner, so I got into the Aunt Brooke proof food and got them a pizza," Peyton laughed.
Haley looked into the living room and saw Jake, Jenny and Caroline sitting in front of the TV eating pizza. She laughed, "Okay," she said.
"So… who were you talking to?"
"Nobody, nosey!" Haley said grabbing a piece of pizza.
Peyton gave Haley a look.
Haley pretended not to see her and sat down eating her pizza.
"So what was this you said about you don't want Nathan to go away?" Peyton asked sitting down across the table from Haley.
Haley sighed, "Peyton, he's my husband… I miss NATHAN! I miss my old husband," Haley frowned. "He wasn't always like that, you know that."
Peyton nodded, "I do,"
"Peyton, I will always love him, you know?"
Peyton nodded, she placed her hand on top of Haley's. "I just worry about you, Haley…"
"And I love you for that," Haley smiled.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you… or Caroline, or this baby."
"Okay, Brooke," Haley tried to lighten the mood.
"I'm glad Brooke's like this, Haley… " Peyton said nodding as Haley laid her head on Peyton's shoulder. Neither of the girls said much anything else that night to each other or to anyone else either, both of them just with each other until it was time to put the girl's in bed.
Haley tucked Caroline into bed around ten that night and kissed her on her forehead, "I love you so much little girl," She said whole heartedly.
"I love you too mommy," Caroline said with a smile.
Haley took a deep breath, "You and I have something to do tomorrow… okay?"
"What is it?" Caroline asked excited. "Can Jenny come?"
Haley shook her head, "It's kind of just a you and me type thing,"
Caroline nodded, "Okay," she said with a smile.
"Alright, well, I'll see you in the morning?"
"Yes!" Caroline said with a yawn.
Haley laughed, "Get some sleep," she said and clicked off the light. She walked to her bedroom and laid down hoping tomorrow would go over as smoothly as possible.
BRUCAS
Brooke and Maggie sat out on the back deck playing 'Go Fish'.
"Do you have any purples?" Maggie asked.
Brooke glanced at her hand, "Go fish,"
"Aww," Maggie said and picked up a card from the deck.
"Do you have any green?" Brooke asked looking at her daughter.
"Gold Fish," Maggie said confidently.
Brooke kinked an eyebrow and drew from the stack.
"Do you have any green?" Maggie asked.
"Hey! I just asked you that!" Brooke said.
"Nu-uh," Maggie shook her head.
"Uh-huh," Brooke said nodded.
Maggie put her cards down, "I'm bored, mommy,"
Brooke made a face, "Me too,"
"We can go back to the zoo?" Maggie suggested.
"I don't think so, not today,"
"Why not?" Maggie asked.
"Because, daddy would have to go with us and he's hurt,"
Maggie frowned, "How long is daddy gonna be hurt?"
Brooke shrugged, "You wanna go check on him with me?" she asked.
Maggie nodded and jumped up.
The two walked into the condo and saw Lucas on the couch a bag of ice resting on his knee.
Maggie jumped on the couch by her father. "Hey daddy!" she said happily.
"Hey Maggs," He smiled.
Brooke stood in the doorway just watching Maggie and Lucas.
"What happened?" Maggie asked shaking her head, looking at her dad's knee.
Lucas laughed a little, "I hurt it at the zoo yesterday…"
"How?" Maggie pried.
"Well… when we were walking after lunch, remember when we had to stop for a little bit?"
Maggie nodded, "Yep, and we sat down and watched the rhino…rhino-soar… how do you say it mommy?" she asked looking up at Brooke.
"Rhinoceros,"
"Yes, the rhino-soar-us," Maggie finished.
Lucas laughed. "My knee popped funny and it hurt,"
"Oh… how long will it hurt for daddy?"
Lucas shook his head, "I don't know, probably better by tomorrow," he assured his little girl.
"Yay!"
Brooke smiled at Maggie "How bout we leave daddy alone for a bit and you go get some regular clothes on and we'll go find something to do!"
"Kay!" Maggie yelped and ran to her room to change.
Brooke sat down on the couch next to Lucas, she laid her head on his shoulder.
"Hi Pretty Girl,"
"Hi husband," she said with a smile.
Lucas kissed the top of her head.
"You know that's not what happened to your knee," She said looking up at him. "We sat down at the Rhinoceros because I was tired, not because you were hurt…"
Lucas moved around a little bit, "Yes, but it would kill her if she knew when she jumped on me last night that it made my knee go out of place,"
Brooke shook her head, "You're such a good dad, Lucas."
Lucas kissed her cheek, "I know," he laughed.
Brooke hit him playfully and laughed as well. She picked the ice up off of his knee to look at it, "Oh, Luke, that doesn't look pretty…" she said wrinkling her nose.
"Brooke, put it back. Twenty minutes on, twenty minutes off," he reminded her.
"Yes sir," Brooke frowned and put the ice back on his knee. "Well, me and Maggs are gonna go find something to do around here. Call me if you need anything, okay?" she asked.
Lucas nodded, "I will,"
"Okay," Brooke said and got up.
Lucas grabbed her waist and gently pulled her back down to him, "Be careful," he said, his forehead pressed up against hers.
Brooke smiled, "I will,"
"I love you,"
Brooke rubbed her nose against Lucas', "I love you too," she said.
"Ready mommy!" Maggie said standing by the front door undoing the lock.
"Gotta go," Brooke smiled and got off the couch. "Alright M. James, what do you think we should do…?"
Maggie shrugged, "What is there to do?"
"Hmm…get in the car, I know what we can do," Brooke said unlocking the car.
Maggie got in the front seat and smiled at her mom.
"Maggie, you can't sit up here," Brooke said shaking her head.
"Mommy," Maggie whined, "Move it Scott," she said and slapped Maggie's butt as she climbed into the backseat. "Buckle up please," Brooke instructed looking at her daughter thru the rear-view mirror.
"Fine," Maggie said and put her seatbelt on. She swung her feet back and forth as Brooke pulled out.
"Maggs," Brooke said as Maggie's feet collided with the back of her seat.
"Hmmm?"
"Stop it,"
"Sorry," Maggie said and looked out the window.
Brooke pulled into the main office and put the car in park. "Come on, let's go see if Joey knows something we can do,"
"Okay!" Maggie said excited climbing back into the front seat and getting out on Brooke's side.
Brooke grabbed Maggie's hand and they walked inside.
"Mommy, I wanna hold you," Maggie said holding her arms up in the air.
Brooke bent down and picked Maggie up, "Okay," she said placing her daughter on her hip.
"Mr. Joey?!" Maggie yelled seeing no one when they walked in.
A few seconds later the young boy walked out into the main office. "Miss Maggie," Joey smiled seeing the young girl.
"Hi!" Maggie said excited.
"You look awful pretty today, huh?"
Maggie nodded, "Mommy braided my hair for me,"
"Well it's adorable," he told her. "What can I do for you two today? Lock yourself out of your place?" he asked.
Brooke made a face, "No, actually," she said smiling. "We're bored," she said placing Maggie on the counter, leaning on it also.
"Oh no, already? You've only been here just five days,"
"Well daddy got hurt yesterday, so me and mommy don't have nothing to do," Maggie said mater-of-factly.
"Well… do you like to swim?" Joey asked.
Maggie nodded wildly, "But mommy doesn't, so I have to play with daddy in the pool"
"Oh…"
"Yeah," Brooke said. "What else you got?"
"Well, we do have a movie room…"
"What movie?" Maggie asked.
"You get to pick," Joey said.
"Hmmm…" Brooke thought, "That sounds fun, huh Maggs? I bet we could even get daddy…"
"Oh yeah!" Maggie said excited.
"Would you like a list of our movies?"
"Do you have kangaroos?!" Maggie asked hopeful.
Joey paused for a moment. "I'll see what I can do."
Maggie's eyes grew in pure excitement.
"What time do you want it ready Mrs. Scott?"
"Um… four?" she asked.
Joey nodded, "Will do,"
Brooke picked Maggie up, "Thank you," she said with a smile as she and Maggie walked out.
"Bye!" Maggie waved smiling.
"Alright little girl, we gotta get to the condo and get daddy ready and up to the movie house by four,"
"How far is that?" Maggie asked.
Brooke looked at the clock. "Twenty minutes,"
Maggie's jaw dropped. "We better hurry,"
Brooke laughed "Okay," she said and pulled into their condo.
The girls walked into the house, Lucas was still on the sofa.
"I gotta go potty mommy," Maggie said almost panicked.
"Okay, can you handle it?"
Maggie nodded and ran to the bathroom.
Brooke walked to the couch, "Hey Luke," she smiled.
"What's up Pretty Girl?"
"You gotta get up,"
"What?"
"Just get to the car,"
"Why?" Lucas asked.
"Well, we're going to the movie room up at the club house and Maggie wants you to come…"
Lucas paused for a minute, "Okay,"
Brooke smiled and kissed Lucas, "Thanks Broody,"
"I'm ready mommy! Is daddy coming?" Maggie asked hopeful.
"Yep," Lucas said struggling to get to his feet.
"Yay!" Maggie said excited. "Oh, hold on!" she said and ran to her room and grabbed the kangaroo she had gotten from the zoo yesterday. "Now I'm ready," she smiled.
Lucas and Brooke both laughed. "Alright, let's go." Brooke said holding Maggie's hand. "You got it?" she asked Lucas.
Lucas nodded, putting little weight on his right leg as he made his way to the car.
The three drove to the club house and parked outside.
"Come on mommy!" Maggie said excited standing outside the car.
Brooke again grabbed Maggie's hand and the two waited for Lucas. "You doing okay?" she asked concerned.
Lucas wrapped his arm around Brooke, "I'm fine," he assured her.
"Ah, Miss Maggie, right this way," Joey said opening the door to the movie room.
"Wow," Maggie said in awe of the room.
Brooke and Lucas were thinking the same thing. The room was much bigger than they expected.
"Alright, your movie will start in just a few minutes, is there anything I can get you three?"
"Can he get a bag of ice," Brooke asked looking at Lucas' knee.
"Of course, anything else?"
Maggie and Brooke both got a water and some M&M's and shortly after the movie started Brooke fell asleep leaning on Lucas, Lucas not far from doing the same thing while Maggie stared at the movie wide-eyed.
Maggie insisted they watch the movie once more before going back to the condo.
It was dark by the time the threesome headed back and Maggie too was now tired. Lucas carried a sleepy Maggie inside and laid her down in her bed, "Goodnight little girl," he said kissing her.
Maggie snuggled into her bed, "Night daddy," she whispered.
Lucas smiled and shut the light off, closing her door. He walked back outside to the car. "Hey Pretty Girl," he whispered.
"Mmm," Brooke groaned.
"Come here," Lucas said wrapping his arms around her.
"Luke, your knee," she whimpered sounding pitiful.
"Mmm, you're okay," he assured her and took her inside as well. He gently laid Brooke down in their bed. "You wanna change?" he asked.
Brooke shook her head and simply curled up into the bed. "How's your knee?"
"Oh I think you broke it for sure," Lucas joked.
Brooke opened the eye closest to Lucas, "I'm serious,"
"So am I," he said looking down at his swollen knee.
Brooke too looked at Lucas' knee. "Honey, you may want to have someone look at it,"
Lucas shrugged it off, "It'll be fine,"
"Okay," Brooke said giving up, too tired to argue about it.
"Goodnight Pretty Girl,"
"Night Broody," she said and drifted to sleep.
Lucas wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her cheek. The rhythm of her slow breathing coaxed him to sleep shortly after he laid next to her.
NALEY
"You ready Carebear?" Haley asked.
Caroline nodded, "Where are we going?" she asked as Haley made sure she was buckled in properly.
"Somewhere," Haley said being very vague.
"Okay," Caroline shrugged.
"Music?" Haley asked.
Caroline nodded.
"What cha feeling like?"
"Um… surprise me!"
There's a downtown corner,
People downtown know.
And a bop "be-bidding" on the radio
And a girl who listens to a young man's song
On the block I live on, in the place I'm from
With a young man sitting
On the dock of the day,
Took a long term trip, first class paid
Now the whole world listens
To that one man's song
On the block I live on, in the place I'm from
Tell me does it, move you,
Does it, soothe you,
Does it, fill your heart and soul,
With room to rock and roll,
Does it, move you,
Does it, soothe you,
Does it, fill your heart and soul,
With room to rock and roll,
Rock and Roll,
Rock and Roll,
Rock and Roll,
While the men in black suits,
On a screened in porch
Making birthday wishes
That they won't know most
You can hear him singing,
Chariot swing low,
On the block I live on, in the place I know
Tell me does it, move you,
Does it, soothe you,
Does it, fill your heart and soul,
With room to rock and roll,
Does it, move you,
Does it, soothe you,
Does it, fill your heart and soul,
With room to rock and roll,
Rock and Roll,
Rock and Roll,
Rock and Roll,
Tell me does it, move you,
Does it, soothe you,
Does it, fill your heart and soul,
With room to rock and roll,
Does it, move you,
Does it, soothe you,
Does it, fill your heart and soul,
With room to rock and roll,
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
Na-na-na-na-na-na,
Been there before
"I love that song!" Caroline said once it finished.
Haley laughed "Me too," she smiled as they pulled into the River Court.
"Why are we here?" Caroline asked.
"Well… I just thought you might want to play a little bit…?"
Caroline thought for a moment… "I don't know,"
"Care, please," Haley begged.
Caroline nodded.
"Okay then, come on," Haley said getting out of the car.
Caroline smiled and got out of the car. Haley grabbed a ball out of the trunk and gave it to Caroline, "Okay, show me what you've got," she said.
Caroline smiled and shot the ball towards the goal and both girls cheered as the ball went thru the hoop.
"Oh, you're amazing!" Haley praised her.
Caroline laughed and continued shooting around. She stopped startled when another car pulled up to the River Court. Caroline's happy smile immediately dropped as she saw who got out of the car.
Haley smiled slightly as Nathan walked towards the court.
"What's he doing here?" Caroline asked coldly, her eyes narrowing.
"Caroline, he came to talk to you,"
"Hey Caroline," Nathan said walking gently towards his daughter.
Caroline shook her head, "No, get away from me!" she said violently. She looked at Haley, "I don't want to talk to him," she told her mom.
Nathan reached for his daughter, "Caroline…"
"No! Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to you ever again!" Caroline yelled. "Go away!!" she screamed tears streaming down her face.
Alright! So I knew how I wanted to end the Naley part… actually, that's a lie, I def. was not intending on Caroline to get involved at all… but it just sort of happened that way… but as you can see I am working on getting Naley back on some kind of track… just a little bit…
I have just a little idea for a next chapter with Brucas, but not much left in my Brucas bank lol… so any suggestions would be GREAT!!
I don't want to make everything with both couple full of drama b/c I fear that would just get old with you guys and each time less significant… if you guys feel any different let me know!!
If you know me at all, I bet you can guess I'm not one for a lot of fluff… I find the whole "dues ex machina" gig insanely boring! But I will try and find some happy medium b/w everything! Just don't want to bore or disappoint anyone!!
Let me know what you guys thought!!
It took me a bit longer to get this chapter up b/c I had to go thru and edit the NALEY parts… I felt lk I should get them more on track then I had them, I hope u guys enjoyed it…!! PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!
Oh! And song credit goes to… HANSON!! Lol "Been There Before" it's really great! Everyone should check it out!!
Alright, R&R guys!!
(oh! my new story is called Everywhere In MY Mind! check it out if you get the chance!!)
Xoxo
-manda